After suiting up for 82 games of his rookie season, 21-year-old Dante Exum missed all of last season with a torn ACL in his left knee. It was a gut punch for both the athletic point guard and the Jazz. Exum was supposed to bring on the next phase of the Jazz’s future and help the squad end a four-year postseason drought.

The 6-6 Exum is now fully healthy and ready for the season. He and his team are gearing up for a push to the playoffs and are being heralded as one of the League’s better young teams. But before the grind gets underway, the fifth pick of the ’14 Draft had a chance to hop on sticks and play the new Call of Duty:Infinite Warfare game. The pride of Canberra, Australia was one of the first people to play the new title. We talked to Exum about the game and how his teammates stack up as video game players.

SLAM: You were one of the first people to get to play Infinite Warfare. What were your impressions of the game? What’d you like?

Dante Exum: It was really good. A lot of bad reviews came through and I was a bit nervous to play it, but after playing the game, the movements are really good. I thought the customization was really good. I obviously didn’t get to play all the maps but playing the maps we did get to— and definitely the terminal, from Modern Warfare 2—those were fun.

SLAM: What were you able to customize?

DE: The character classes, I thought that was good. You had two different options. The technology they’ve added to the game, you can see the progression.

SLAM: Is there a specific feature that stood out to you when you were playing?

DE: One thing that I liked that they added to Infinite Warfare was the health bar. It’s little, but kinda underrated. If you’re shooting some guy, you think you killed him, but you see the health bar, that’s big. That’s something that I really liked.

SLAM: What are some of the progressions you’ve seen throughout your time playing Call of Duty?

DE: The biggest one is the movement, being able to move through the map. The jump controls and the boosts. I definitely think Black Ops III, it’s kind of a similar type of movement with the boost. It feels smoother, running on the walls.

DE: I’m pretty much the same. I like to run and gun. I like to play domination. Always wearing a U18. That’s my play style.

SLAM: Have you gotten a chance to play Call of Duty with anyone else in the League?

DE: I’ve played with a couple of guys on my team. They’re not… that good [laughs]. I didn’t play with them that much. I’ve seen Karl play a little bit. I know he did a couple of streams. He was pretty good.

SLAM: Even though they’re not that good, if you could take one teammate on an online Infinite Warfare mission with you, who are you taking?

DE: I heard someone say that George Hill’s pretty good at Call of Duty. I haven’t talked to him about, but from what I know, I’d probably rather run it solo. They’d hold me back [laughs].

SLAM: So you guys play different games when you’re all together?

DE: Everybody likes to play FIFA and we’re heavy into 2K, as well. But I’m not much of a sports game-player. I play a lot of Destiny with Rudy [Gobert], Elder Scrolls with Rudy and Raul [Neto.] That’s what I’m into. Anything first person shooter, I’ll play.

SLAM: You and Rudy were playing 2K a couple weeks back on the Jazz’s snapchat account. Who won that game?

DE: Rudy won that game. But he was playing as the Jazz so I kinda had to let him win [laughs].

SLAM: We talked to Derrick Favors a week back and we asked him about who was the funniest, weirdest guy on the team and he mentioned Rudy. You agree with that?

The surgery was performed in Los Angeles by Dr. Neal S. ElAttrache of Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic following consultations with Jazz physician Dr. Travis Maak and University of Utah Health Care as well as Dr. Brian Cole of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush in Chicago. Jazz head athletic trainer Brian Zettler accompanied Exum.

Once he is cleared to travel, Exum will return to Salt Lake City to begin his rehabilitation. He suffered the injury on Aug. 4 while competing for the Australian National Team in a game against the Slovenian National Team in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

A timeline for his return to activity will be established at a later date, and further updates will be provided when appropriate.

“San Antonio Spurs point guard Patty Mills says his recent shoulder injury won’t be an issue when he plays for Australia in its Olympic qualifying series against New Zealand starting this week.

Mills made himself unavailable for Australia’s warm-up series in Europe while he underwent treatment for the injury in Los Angeles, but he accepted a late call-up to the Australia team when fellow NBA player Dante Exum was forced out with a knee injury.”

Exum, 20, was hurt while hooping with the Australian National Team in a game this week against Slovenia.

There’s no timetable for his return to action.

From the press release:

Exum suffered a left knee injury on Aug. 4 while competing for the Australian National Team in a game against the Slovenian National Team in Ljubljana, Slovenia. After returning to Salt Lake City, he underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at University of Utah Health Care’s Orthopaedic Center this morning. Following the examination, Jazz physicians Dr. Travis Maak and Dr. David Petron determined that Exum sustained a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.

“First and foremost, our overriding concern is with Danté and his long-term health,” said Utah Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey. “We are continuing to work closely with our medical staff, Danté and his representation in order to reach an accurate diagnosis and recommended treatment so that we can provide him with the best possible care. We all know how hard he will work to make a full recovery and look forward to his return to play.”

With All-Star Weekend 2015 officially underway, we thought it’d be nice to provide a photo recap of the previous night’s festivities. Above, check out the images from NBA All-Star Friday, with the stars’ media interviews, followed by the Celebrity Game, and ending with the Rising Stars Challenge.

Since its inception, SLAM has approached the game and those who play it from a fresh, new angle that has kept the magazine and website the number one place for basketball fans for over twenty years. Unfortunately, due to a litany of circumstances, SLAM doesn’t always have the time, writers or space to capture every story we’d like to. Thankfully, publications like Narratively—a platform devoted to untold human stories—exist .

While most publications dedicate their All-Star Week coverage to today’s brightest stars (which SLAM will do as well!), SLAM and Narratively are bringing you four alternative basketball stories from around the globe.

The group of stories debuted this week represent a commitment to reporting and the telling of stories about players past, present, and future. They are narratives not about marketing or hype but about taking readers to courts around the world. It’s about giving readers fresh perspectives–even a group of stories directly from the players themselves. Narratively and SLAM are proud to present Hoop Dreams: Sleepless Nights And Homesick Hearts In The NBA.

Thank you to Ben Osborne and Pete Walsh of SLAM and Noah Rosenberg, Brendan Speigel and Garrett McGrath of Narratively for forming the best five-player lineup and cranking out a winning slate of basketball stories.

Scan the fondest memories of every basketball player in the National Basketball Association and you’ll see variations of the exact same scene: a bright-eyed youngster on a day with not a cloud in the sky, dressed in the latest athletic gear and dribbling a regulation basketball dramatically as the five seconds left on the imaginary shot clock in his head tick away.

Five. He is in perpetual motion, mimicking the moves of his idol player, stopping on a dime in the best sneakers his family could afford, making the rubber on his soles squeak before rising from the asphalt, hardwood or driveway pavement.

Four. He rises, almost in slow motion, powered by as much throttle as he can muster from his tiny calves and quads.

Three. He cradles the ball into his shooting hand and then launches a jump shot over the outstretched arms of his imaginary defender. The ball spirals from his fingertips in an imperfect arc.

Two. It holds there, an orb of resolute destiny, like a plume of cigarette smoke, before gravity seduces it downward into the cylinder.

One. The ball tickles the net just so, as if a light breeze had awakened it from a deep slumber.

Zero. Swish! It’s good!

The rush of that game-winning shot and the imagined roar of the crowd going wild has fueled the drive and dedication of every kid who’s ever dared to realize his dream of making it to the NBA. The thing about dreams, though, especially if they come true, is that they’re incomplete. Kids think only of the bright side; it never occurs to them that there’s even a remote chance of discontent in the professional athlete experience. But, just as sure as there are pros to being in the pros, there are some downsides to life in the League. Four current players—José Juan Barea, Dante Exum, Brandon Jennings and Shaun Livingston—talk about what they miss most about the simple life and why sometimes it’s a total drag to be a professional athlete in a league where everybody knows your name. These are their stories.

* * *

European Vacation: Brandon Jennings

The pizza in Italy is very different from the pizza found in the United States. That’s one of the first things that Brandon Jennings noticed when he landed in Rome to play professional basketball for the Italian club Lottomatica Virtus Roma back in 2008. There he was, an eager and wiry 19-year-old a long way from the comfortable confines of Compton, CA, intent on proving that his decision to forgo the University of Arizona in favor of turning pro was the right one. Even now, as he’s reestablished himself as a premier point guard in the NBA, helping the woeful Detroit Pistons return to the glory days of Dennis Rodman and Isiah Thomas’ Bad Boys, Jennings, 25, thinks fondly of the wood oven-baked pies that pizzerias made with fresh tomato, basil, mozzarella and pride.

“I really miss the food,” Jennings says, as he’s getting ready for practice. “The authentic Italian food was awesome. I was eager to prove myself and get to the NBA but when I think about it and look back, I really miss that Italian cuisine.”

It was a turbulent time for Jennings. His story was used as a pawn in the media chess game for and against the NBA’s “prep-to-pro” policy, which prevented him from declaring for the draft right after graduating from basketball powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, where he’d averaged 32.7 points, 7.4 assists and 5.1 rebounds a game. According to the league’s policy, which was implemented with the 2006 draft, Jennings had to be at least 19 years old and a year removed from high school graduation to enter the draft. So, instead of a year in college, he opted for a year playing professionally abroad.

“The only thing I missed out on by not going to college was probably the parties,” he says. “I mean, college can’t teach you about real life. I think that’s what I learned when I didn’t go to college. Once you get out of school, that’s when you got bills and life becomes real. The best part of skipping college was the fact of being a professional athlete. I was a professional. I was finally a pro. So that’s where my career started but also being able to take care of my family, I had a shoe deal over in Rome, so the opportunity was something that I couldn’t pass up.”

Had the teenage phenom become a star in the Italian League during his rookie campaign, he’d have been a trailblazer, a shining example for others to follow. But things fell apart. In 27 games, Jennings failed to live up to expectations, averaging a paltry 5.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. All of the experts across the pond questioned whether he was skilled enough to warrant the Milwaukee Bucks’ use of their first round (10th overall) draft pick in 2009.

With so much to regret about the way he played that year, it’s surprising to learn that the only thing he laments is not fully digesting European culture.

“I felt like I was at peace when I was overseas,” says Jennings, who has seen his star rise significantly since leaving Italy. “I didn’t have to worry about family members or anybody asking me for anything. I was just living my life. The thing I most regret is not taking advantage of really experiencing and taking in the places that I visited while I was there. Greece, Turkey, Slovenia, all these different places. I wish I would have took it in more and really took advantage of it.”

The fifth overall pick in the NBA Draft struggled mightily at the FIBA Basketball World Cup this summer – playing in all of Australia’s six games and only averaging 12 minutes, 2.7 points and shooting 33 percent from the field — leading many to wonder if Exum was truly ready for the L.

Bogut says the Utah Jazz rookie will be just fine, and that it’s far too early to consider writing him off. Per the Sydney Morning Herald (via NBA Australia):

“A lot of people out there that have started to get after him because he didn’t play much at the World Cup need to pull their heads out,” Bogut told NBA Australia.

“The kid is 19, it’s his first major tournament. He’s had tremendous pressure on him over the last six months, but I believe he’ll get there. He just needs to keep working at his game.

“I heard he’s a very hard worker so he’ll be fine. I just laugh at people in the media that are already writing this kid off after one tournament. We cannot forget he was drafted on the fact that he was young and he has a chance to be even better. There’s a lot of people trying to cut him down already which is highly disappointing.”

Dante Exum is the self-described “mystery man” of the 2014 NBA Draft, but he’s quickly changing that moniker. We sat down with the Australian PG (and Foot Locker team Approved member) at the Foot Locker x SLAM Draft Suite to talk about everything from his new commercials, his favorite kicks (adidas Crazy 8) and LeBron vs Kobe (a no-brainer for Exum)…

The day of the NBA Draft is almost here and it’s the realization of a lifelong dream for the selected. What every player wants is a chance to show what they can do, location of that opportunity lies secondary. It won’t be the best 60 players selected in this Draft as the NBA continues to rate players with potential above players who can play and, most importantly, know how to play.

Look for teams to use this opportunity to trade existing assets to get younger (and cap lighter) as well as to trade down.

Here are the top players in the Draft (it doesn’t mean they will be taken at these picks) in what is one of the deepest draft boards in years.

Australian PG Dante Exum is about to have his life changed forever on Thursday night, when he’s expected to be a Top 10 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. So just how will life be different for the adidas brand athlete? Foot Locker imagines Exum’s new, extravagant life in this series of hilarious pre-Draft ads. Check them all out below, and let us know which one you think is the funniest in the comments section.

The Sixers’ have the Rookie of the Year as their starting point guard, but have a vacant 2-guard spot next to him. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Philly could look at pairing Michael Carter-Williams with either Dante Exum or Marcus Smart.

Philadelphia has been intrigued with the possibility of drafting a point guard with one of its picks in the draft, closely studying Dante Exum and Marcus Smart, sources said. Smart wouldn’t be selected with Philly’s third overall pick, sources said, but Exum does become a candidate for the Sixers at No. 3. Philadelphia has had discussions with teams about gathering an additional pick between its two current choices at No. 3 and No. 10.

Next month’s NBA Draft will continue the growing trend of selecting players across the Atlantic, as another dozen international selections promise to be drafted. This season, a record number 92 foreign players made NBA rosters, representing more than 20 percent of the League. Players such as Serge Ibaka, Ricky Rubio, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Marc Gasol, Manu Ginobili and Goran Dragic have shown that there is a different route to the top tier of the NBA outside of playing college basketball.

The second round is often littered with “draft and stash” selections. Teams claim the rights for players who are not quite NBA ready and who will more than likely play next season overseas (added bonus that these players can develop on some one else’s payroll). Those players will make a very good living being paid toward the top of their league’s respective pay scale until they are considered NBA ready.

In this regard, the American college player in many ways is at a disadvantage with the current system, if that player is drafted, they either make the team or are waived. It’s boom or bust when you consider the only other domestic league, the D-League, has an average salary right around $17,000.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the No. 15 pick in the 2013 Draft, would be picked first if they redrafted the players knowing now what they did not know last June. The Bucks banked on his potential and he was the lone bright spot in their lost season.

We huddled up with Carl Berman and the guys from Net Scouts to get the skinny on the best import prospects for the upcoming Draft. This list includes three members of last summer’s FIBA U19 World Championship All-Tournament team. All three are projected in this year’s lottery:

Dante Exum, 6-6, 18 years old, Guard, Australian Institute of Sport

He is the son of Cecil Exum, a member of the University of North Carolina 1982 championship team. Exum is projected to be a top-10 pick and there is serious consideration for him in the top five. Scouts like his athleticism and while he is more of a combo guard presently than a point, there is confidence that he can make the adjustment to run a NBA team. Exum shoots it well; however, he will need to improve in this area. His strengths are his size (wingspan of 6-9.5) and body control. The choice will be Exum or Marcus Smart for the first guard selected. He has been shielded from criticism, having not played on a big stage since last summer’s world championships. As other players such as those in college have been scrutinized and put under the microscope, Exum has climbed up the draft boards with the potential upside of a Russell Westbrook.

Dario Saric, 6-10, 20 years old, Power Forward, Croatia

Impressed last summer for Croatia. Saric utilized a strong basketball IQ to maximize his talents. A point forward that has good vision and a quality skill set. He is a better than average shooter, rebounder, ball handler and passer. The concerns will be is current lack of athleticism and strength. If all goes well, scouts are hoping for Saric to develop into a Chandler Parsons-type player. Late lottery selection.

Jusif Nurcic, 6-11, 19 years old, Center, Bosnia

Nurcic was a PER machine in the Adriatic league as he steadily improved his conditioning. A true post candidate who is big (7-2 wingspan, strong with proficiency around the basket. He’s second on most team’s draft boards at the center position. Concerns remain regarding his athleticism, but the projection for some is for a prospect such as Nikola Pekovic.

Clint Capela, 6-11, 20 years old, Power Forward, Switzerland

Capela is a productive player in the professional league in France. He was a beneficiary of transition baskets and close range conversions. His shot doesn’t look bad but it hasn’t been consistent. He will compete with Adreian Payne for draft position. Upside may project to be like Serge Ibaka. Draft position in the late-first to early second round range.

Kristaps Porzingis, 7-0, 18 years old, Forward, Latvia

Porzingis is skilled away from the basket, offensively playing more like a small forward than a post player. He needs time to develop and embrace the physicality of the NBA. Some will view and project him similar to Isaiah Austin in regards to his offensive (play the 3) and defensive (guard the 5) matchup. Quality draft and stash candidate who should fall somewhere near Capela on most draft boards but who could one day evolve into a Dirk Nowitzki-type player.

Walter Tavares, 7-3, 22 years old, Center, Gran Canaria

Really big and athletic, Tavares is another quality long-term play for the Draft. Currently he has no real offensive game, but he looks like a player and there is confidence it can develop. It’s expected that he’s among the first picks in the second round.

Bogdan Boganovic, 6-6, 21 years old, Shooting Guard, Serbia

Battle tested through high level competition, scoring 14-15 points per game in the Euroleague. He is an improved shooter who can play some point. He is athletic and incredibly long (nearly a 7-foot wingspan). He reminds scouts of Russian star Alexey Shevd who is playing with the Timberwolves. Expected to be in the late first round to early second round range.

Vasillije Micic, 6-5, 20 years old, Point Guard, Serbia

Micic was one of the best point guards in the Adriatic League. He has been one of the diamonds in the Serbian development system having represented the U16 then U18 and U19 teams. He’s surprisingly athletic and looks to transition smoother to the NBA game than the other born-European players. He’s not a stranger to high level competition. Anticipated to be drafted in the early to middle second round range. He could be the next Tony Parker.

Nikola Jokic, 6-11, 19 years old, Center, Serbia

Yet another Serbian prospect, not bad for a country of 7 million people. Streaky shooter that when hot, hits threes in bunches. High basketball IQ, he does have some limits athletically. He has good potential and could be a late mover into the first round.

Artem Klimenko, 7-1, 20 years old, Center, Russia

He has played quality minutes against good competition. Currently he is more of a space eater than a shot blocker. He has limits with his length and athleticism but clearly can make a roster as a backup center. Likely second round selection.

Leigh Klein was formerly on staff at Texas and Rhode Island and now owns fivestarbasketball.com, the nation’s top basketball camp. He contributes to SLAM’s coverage of college basketball and the NBA Draft and is a frequent national radio guest. Klein can be followed at @leighalanklein.

Top prospect Dante Exum became the first potential 2014 lottery pick to sign a major sneaker deal today. Three Stripes has announced a partnership with the 6-6 Australian guard, who—although still 18 and untested against college competition in the US—has brand-carrying potential. From adidas:

adidas today announced a partnership with Australian NBA Draft prospect Danté Exum. The 18-year-old, 6-foot-6-inch combo guard is projected to be one of the top picks in the 2014 NBA Draft. Exum brings a unique skill set and background to one of the most highly touted draft classes in recent years.

“I’m really excited to join the adidas family,” said Exum. “I’ve had the opportunity to play in adidas Nations in the past and I’ve always liked their shoes and gear. I look forward to what’s to come for me and adidas.”

A graduate of the prestigious Australian Institute of Sport, Exum’s career includes a gold medal finish at the 2013 FIBA Oceania Championship and silver medal finish in the 2012 FIBA Under-17 World Championships. Exum also participated in the adidas Nations program in 2011 and 2012, leading Australia to a fourth place finish in 2012. Exum grew up with strong basketball roots, his father Cecil Exum was a member of the 1982 University of North Carolina NCAA National Championship team before playing professional basketball in Australia.

“Danté is a gifted player,” said Chris Grancio, adidas head of global basketball sports marketing. “His hard work ethic and play have made him successful at every level of competition, but what makes him special is his great attitude and unselfish team approach to the game.”

After months of speculation, Australian HS star Dante Exum announced earlier today that he will forgo college and instead will put his name in the 2014 NBA Draft. The 6-6 point guard is projected to be a top-5 draft pick in June. He turned heads at the Nike Hoop Summit and FIBA U19 World Championships, and ever since has been considered the top international prep prospect. More, from ESPN: “Australian phenom Dante Exum has decided to declare for the 2014 NBA draft, his family and agent told ESPN.com on Tuesday. Exum has agreed to hire agents Rob Pelinka and Brandon Rosenthal of Landmark Sports Agency. Pelinka’s clients include Kobe Bryant, James Harden, Andre Iguodala and Andre Drummond. “We are excited to be working with Landmark Sports,” Exum and his parents, Cecil and Desiree, said in a statement to ESPN. “Our family felt The Landmark Team represented our style and manner of treating people, and in doing businesses. We also all shared a common commitment to achieving excellence in all things. The fit is just great and we are really pleased to now begin the work.” Exum and his family met eight different agents in Melbourne during the past month before making their choice Tuesday morning. “We are thrilled and honored to be working with Dante and his family,” Pelinka said in a statement to ESPN. “As the NBA continues to expand its brand around the world, we feel like Dante’s international story comes at a perfect time. We also believe that, with continued hard work and focus, Dante is destined to be a ‘franchise’ point guard in this next generation of great NBA players.” Exum, 18, is widely regarded as a top-five draft pick by NBA scouts and general managers. He is currently ranked No. 4 in ESPN’s Top 100, and is ranked as the No. 1 point guard on ESPN.com’s Big Board.”

There’s a handful of unbelievable college prospects eligible for the ’14 Draft. Which will have the greatest NBA career? Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Some of the top American, as well as international, basketball talent recently came together for a four-day tournament in Long Beach, CA. Team USA 2014 Red took home a trophy, and BallisLife took home the footage. Peep the video recap of the event, featuring Kasey Hill, Chris Walker, Noah Vonleh, Ben Simmons, Emmanuel Mudiay, Stanley Johnson, Dante Exum, Cliff Alexander, Jahlil Okafor and more!

Adidas hosted some of the top American, as well as international, young basketball talent in Long Beach, CA this past weekend at the adidas Nations Global 2012. Noah Vonleh and Emmanuel Mudiay held it down for the United States, while Australia, Latin America, Europe and Asia foreshadowed the possible future international rising stars on the horizon. After giving you a recap of the action earlier, above is a photo recap of some of the best moments and performers of the showcase, courtesy of adidas.